This weekend I drove North on my own - got there all in one piece, didn't get lost once, which is not exactly surprising as I was staying at my Mums' house but niether she nor my Dad were there so I still count it as a proper trip away.
It was odd really, I felt rather lightheaded and definatley unencumbered. But I was slightly edgy about it. I imagaine a wild animal, that had been kept for a while in captivity, might feel like I did over the weekend when finally released.
And what did I do with my freedom? When I wasn't galavanting around Harrogate in the company of some very disreputable* but highly entertaining ladies, I was in my mother's clothes cupboard trying on dresses and shoes and jackets and things. It was rather heady. I pranced and flounced about and giggled at myslef in the long mirror and smacked great big red and magenta kisses on it in lipstick. But who was there to tell me off, no one. There wasn't anyone there to say I couldn't nor was there anyone there to laugh at me and say how silly.
It was just me.
I of course didn't spend the whole time in her wardrobe, I did check out the larder too. And oh, what a wonderful cornucopia it is. All the food I am forbidden by conscience to buy lined up in rows and stacked in piles. Heinz Macaroni Cheese - the smell of which I find so much more appetising than the taste. Hot dog Sausages, Kettle Crisps, Bahlsen Choco Leibniz biscuits, heavenly stuff. I had to keep sliding the door open and shut just to get that wonderful waft of forbiden-ness.
I draped my clothes everywhere and didn't bother to pick them up and I luxuriated in a bath of exotic smelling bubbles until my toes wrinkled.
I opened doors and drawers and boxes, poked and pried wherever my fancy took, which wasn't exactly far and for a moment before I had to rush around frantically trying to remember where everthing was kept before I had to rub out my presence from every room leaving it exactly as it was before, I was a child again with no burden of responsibility. Free to do as I pleased.
And do you know what?
I HAD A BALL but the best bit was returning home again and being told I was missed. Of all the Birthday presents one could have had that was possibly the most precious I have ever been given.
(*I didn't say that did I? What I meant of course was delightlful, startling, amazing, entertaining company. And it was one of the best Birthdays I have had in years if I say so myself. So thank you Mountainear, Snailbeach Shepherdess, Withy Brook, Bodran, Faith, Patsy, Tiggywinkle, Elizabethm and the ever so stylish Kittyb. It was fab!)
